March 1, 2009
February 8, 2010
February 8, 2010
Tang Wei, Hyun Bin (Hyeon Bin)
Stills released for Late Autumn, the joint venture between US and South Korea now shooting in the Seattle area. The film is scheduled for a South Korean release in the second half of the year and later go to foreign film festivals. (HunanTV) (Xinhua)
CRI: Tang Wei Turns out a Prisoner in New Film
THR: Peter Chan to produce ‘Incredible Couple’
“It’s ‘Mr. & Mrs Smith’ meets ‘The Incredibles’ in the Qing dynasty”
Legends in a martial arts tale
TRUE Legend is the extraordinary journey of a man — a martial arts hero — whose greatest dream is to create a unique school of martial arts for the world to follow. It is directed by legendary kungfu film-maker Yuen Woo-Ping.
Hong Kong comedy classic reproduced - 72 Tenants of Prosperity
Zhang Yuqi
Zhang Yuqi costars with Masanobu Ando in a comedy, action, martial arts film ‘Legend of the Kitchen Knife’ due for release in May.
Donnie Yen’s luggage is ’strongest of the universe’ (Sina)
AngelaBaby
AngelaBaby’s New Year’s wish is for her family’s health (Sina)
Christy Chung, baby Cayla and husband Yan Zheng
Three girls are enough for HK actress Christy Chung (2)
Angelica Lee and Oxide Pang exchange wedding rings.
Oxide Pang made a Declaration of Love video with clips from (in the style of?) The Eye that brought tears to Angelica and convulsed the guests with laughter. (Sina) (8)(Sina)
Viewers complained that “Pandamen” had a childish, convoluted plot that was hard to follow and pointed out that the show seemed to cater specifically for Mainland audiences as the cast often delivered their lines in Mainland-accented Mandarin.
February 7, 2010
Legends in a martial arts tale
By SUBHADRA DEVAN
TRUE Legend is the extraordinary journey of a man — a martial arts hero — whose greatest dream is to create a unique school of martial arts for the world to follow. It is directed by legendary kungfu film-maker Yuen Woo-Ping.
Yuen picked an impressive cast for his solo directorial return after Iron Monkey 2 in 1996. It includes Datuk Michelle Yeoh as a guest star in her role as Sister Yu, a lady warrior with exceptional martial arts skills.
It is a significant role as she saves the film’s main character’s life.
“As I read the story, a familiar figure came to mind — haven’t we met such a lady in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon?” said Yuen in the True Legend website. Yuen had also choreographed the action scenes in Ang Lee’s epic.
“I learnt from the screenwriter (Christine To Chi-Long) that she had fashioned this character after Yu Xiulian” in Crouching Tiger.
Yuen said Yeoh’s character in True Legend was actually written as Yu Shu Lien (or Yu Xiulian, in Mandarin Pinyin. Yu is the family name), her character from the Ang Lee film.
In fact, in Crouching Tiger, Yeoh’s character sometimes could be heard being addressed as “Sister Yu” (pronounced as “Yu Da Jie” in Mandarin Chinese).
That’s when he decided Sister Yu should be played by the inimitable Michelle Yeoh. But it was only after she had confirmed her participation that the character was called Sister Yu.
“No one else is fit for this name but her,” said Yuen. “If the character was played by another, she might as well be called Sister Chen, Sister Li or any name at all.”
Yuen was not surprised by Yeoh’s action stunts as Sister Yu, although these were not that many in True Legend. He said it was “her emotions that surprised me more”.
To “re-vitalise” a character is by no means simple, said Yuen, “and Michelle did it beautifully”. “The sadness in Sister Yu’s eyes says 100 times more than words — her poignant past is embodied in her actions.
“As a viewer, I’m delighted at the return of Sister Yu. As a director, I’m very grateful for Michelle who came back to play this part.”
True Legend is said to have used 3-D techniques in its fight sequences, and many of its scenes were shot in really dangerous places, like the Hukou Waterfall at the Yellow River in North China’s Shanxi Province.
Yuen had also choreographed the brilliant action sequences of Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2 and The Matrix series.
Arguably the best action director in the world, Yuen has been trained in martial arts from a young age under his father, a respected martial arts actor. The early training stood Yuen in good stead, and by the 1960s he had moved to Hong Kong and was rising steadily through the ranks of the booming HK film industry with stunt work.
Yuen was first credited as action director in Ng See Yuen’s Mad Killer (1971). In 1978, Yuen’s first directed film, Snake In The Eagle’s Shadow created two superstars –– Jackie Chan, one of the action stars today, and Yuen himself.
Yuen’s second film, Drunken Master, also starred Jackie Chan. To date, these two films still serve as the icons of 1970s Chinese action cinema.
In 1984, Yuen directed another kungfu hit, Drunken Tai Chi, which discovered another action star — Donnie Yen who later appeared in the Iron Monkey series.
Yuen has also directed comedies and contemporary police-action-dramas, such as In the Line of Duty 4 with Michelle Yeoh.
Yuen’s work started getting Hollywood attention. And the rest — Matrix, Kill Bill series, etc — is cinema history.
The film stars Vincent Zhao Wen-Zhou (The Blade) as the man who would become Beggar Su, one of the most memorable characters in martial arts film history.
True Legend also features Andy On, Michelle Yeoh, David Carradine and American-born Cung Le, one of the most recognised international kickboxing champions in the world as well as in mixed martial arts and sanshou.
Going by production notes from Sony Pictures Releasing International, the story is about Su Chan, a rich man obsessed with kung-fu. He and his family fall victim to a conspiracy and lose everything. He becomes a beggar, and gets drunk every day. He wanders from town to town, but all this time his dream about the martial arts is still alive.
His hard life has not killed off his determination to perfect his skills. He conjures up scenes where he combats the legendary Lord of Wushu, and he achieves some peace of mind.
Meanwhile, the Heilongjiang Province where Su resides falls under foreigners’ rule. One day a crisis occurs that threatens the life of his son –– the only person Su still cares about.
At the critical moment, Su uses all his strength in a martial art battle and unwittingly forges a new style of martial arts forever known as The Drunken Fist.
This then becomes the legend of Beggar Su, which is based on the story of a real-life hero. He is honoured as the “King of Beggars”.
True Legend premiered in Beijing two weeks ago. At the Press conference, Yuen was joined by cast members Jay Chou, Zhou Xun and Vincent Zhao.
Chou plays two different roles in the film, one of them being Vincent Zhao’s martial mentor. Said Chou: “The two roles I played are very different characters. And they have diverse kungfu styles. I really enjoyed myself during the shoot.”
Chou is not an experienced martial artist or screen fighter but he performed some of his own stunts in True Legend.
In his fight sequences with Zhao, Chou reportedly caused some minor injuries to Zhao’s hands during sparring.
“I remembered that I had to do 30 to 40 takes before the scene was okay,” said Chou.
Said Zhao: “If one actor can fight but the other cannot, more co-ordination is needed. Accidents are unavoidable, hand injuries are common.”
Added Chou: “Sometimes, it is really difficult to gauge the distance. We need to make it look like a real fight. So when we throw a punch, we will sometimes hit each other.”
As the number of hand injuries increased, Yuen had a stunt double to complete the fight sequences.
The music for True Legend is composed by Shigeru Umebayashi, who is best known for the nostalgic tune in Wong Kar Wai’s In the Mood for Love (2000), and Wong’s 2046 (in 2004), which won him Best Original Film Score at the Golden Horse Film Festival and the Hong Kong Film Awards.
The theme song, Zou Ma Kan Huang Hua (meaning, looking at yellow flowers on horseback), is performed by Zhou Xun.
True Legend will be shown at the Berlinale Special during the 60th Berlin International Film Festival which runs Feb 11-21.
True Legend is set for release across Malaysia on Feb 11.
Vincent Zhao as Beggar Su
Vincent Zhao, 38, born in Harbin, China, began learning martial arts when young, learning it from his father. At 13, he entered the Harbin Martial Arts Team and became the youngest team member.
At 18, Zhao enrolled in Beijing Sports University and majored in Martial Arts. He became the champion of the 1991 National Aerobic Gymnastics Tournament.
In 1992, during the second year of university, Zhao was cast as a villain against Jet Li in Fong Sai Yuk. Zhao’s performance earned much notice and he started getting film offes.
After graduation, Zhao was offered to teach at the Beijing Sports University, but he chose to focus on his film career. Zhao went on to make films and TV dramas in Hong Kong and China. Zhao has made more than 14 films including Fist Power (2000), Mahjong Dragon (1996) and Once Upon A Time In China V (1994) and IV (1993).
Michelle Yeoh as Sister Yu
Malaysian heroine Datuk Michelle Yeoh is well-known for performing her own stunts in action films. She is a unique female action star.
Her role in True Legend, if minor, is that of a heroine with exceptional martial arts skills and who lives in seclusion on North Star Mountain.
Director Yuen said in an interview with the Chinese Press that he relates to that character. “I often feel that
I am a recluse and I’m settled with what I have. Michelle’s character indeed has my own spirit.”
David Carradine as Anton, gambling house owner
The late David Carradine’s famous role as Kwai Chang Caine in TV drama Kung Fu (1972) shot him to superstardom. Since then Carradine’s name has stood for ultra-cool and often ruthless kungfu characters. He had also written a book, Spirit Of Shaolin, A Handbook Of Kung Fu Philosophy. He had appeared in over 120 films, 32 plays, 27 TV films and miniseries.
When Carradine died last year, Yuen posted a eulogy on the True Legend official site.
“David, my good friend, passed away in Thailand on June 3.
“David and I knew each other from Kill Bill. Before that, I had of course seen a lot of his work. He is among the first Hollywood actors to perform Chinese martial arts on the big screen. In real life he is also a genuine kungfu fan, and knows tai chi, qi gong and Chinese medicine.
“Same as I, people shall always remember his role as Caine, “the grasshopper,” in Kung Fu, in the 70s, which was a really unforgettable performance.
“I feel both great honour and regret that True Legend is one of David Carradine’s last works.”
Zhou Xun as Xiao Ying
Born in 1976, Zhou Xun is today one of China’s female best known artiste. She first entered the screen when she played a blind girl in Chen Kaige’s The Emperor And The Assassin in 1998.
Her next film, Suzhou River, earned her the Best Actress Award in the Paris Film Festival. She continued to lure international audiences with her role in Dai Sijie’s film adaptation of the book of same name, Balzac And The Little Chinese Seamstress in 2002.
From there, she went on to star in at least 15 films, nine TV series and has released two albums.
Her performance in Perhaps Love (2005) directed by Peter Chan won for her the Best Actress Award in both Hong Kong Film Awards and Taiwan’s Golden Horse Awards.
Jay Chou as Lord of Wushu
Taiwan-born Chou, 31, is very popular in Malaysia. He is in fact the best-selling Mandarin artiste in the world for the past five years and has won numerous music industry awards.
Chou began acting in a starring role in Initial D (2005), which brought him The Best New Performer Award in The 25th Hong Kong Film Awards. His other films include Kung Fu Dunk (2008).
(New Strait Times)
February 6, 2010
February 6, 2010
US poster
Funny action-man Jackie Chan ably dives headfirst into gritty gangster drama
Jackie Chan is in Beijing to promote Little Big Soldier but does not neglect his charity activities. Here, he is attending a Save the Tiger activity. (Sina)
A trailer for Chinese filmmaker Wang Quan’an’s family drama, “Apart Together” was released Thursday, a week before it opens this year’s Berlin International Film Festival.
“The Conceited General” (1956)
As the first president of the Shanghai Animation Film Studio, Te insisted on innovation and introduced new techniques such as incorporating traditional paper-cutting and paper-folding in animated films. While he was in charge of the work, the Shanghai Animation Film Studio produced many other animated films such as “Uproar in Heaven” and “NeZha Riots the Seas.”
Karen Mok (Sina)
Jane Zhang Liangying
Li Yuchun
CRI: Singers Honored at Annual Beijing Pop Music Awards
Ho Chao-Feng (Stanley Ho’s daughter), Anita Yuen
Anita Yuen, one of the invited guests (Aaron Kwok, Sylvia Chang, Gigi Leung among them), missed the wedding of Angelica Lee and Oxide Pang because she was in Macau doing a promotion and forgot the date. Deeply embarrassed, Anita sent a text to Angelica and offered to treat the couple to dinner. (Sina)
Aaron Kwok
Gigi Leung
Gigi Leung, Valen Hsu and Charlie Yeung paid to bring all the guests to Malaysia as their wedding gift to the couple. (Xinhua)
Papa(razzi) deterrent for Chow Yun-fat
“I love kids, and I would love to have a child of my own,” says Fat Gor (brother Fat), as the actor is fondly known in the Chinese entertainment industry. “But I can’t have a child — not until the nosy Hong Kong paparazzi sign an agreement with me, assuring me that they will not tail my kid.”
“Which is close to impossible, I think.”
Triads as social networking
“Diamond Hill was one of the poorest and most backward of villages in Hong Kong at a time when Hong Kong itself was poor and backward,” says Feng Chi-shun. “We moved there in 1956 when I was almost 10. I left when I was 19. Those were the formative years of my life. It’s a time that I remember well and cherish.” [The excerpt is a lengthy but enjoyable read. And when you get to the end, you learn which of the four Hui brothers was a teddy boy!]
February 5, 2010
February 5, 2010
Avatar Fever, Catch It Series (China Hush)
With a stellar cast and entertaining storyline that weaves together action and drama, the film should do well with younger audience members who like to view the underworld through rose-tinted glasses.
A romance as pretty and immaterial as a swirl of bubbles.
A love story between an elderly couple that is tender without being schmaltzy.
Limited US release begins this Friday
On the popular movie site Mtime.com, it scored a 3.8 out of 10 in user-submitted reviews, compared to 9.4 for Avatar. The Global Times gave it a 4 out of 10, calling it “thoughtless and mind-numbing.”…
Han Han, one of China’s most popular writers who is widely viewed as a key voice of the country’s youth generation, gave it a two on his popular blog, calling it an entertainment, educational, and business failure.
Sze Nga (Michelle Wai)
Former - Sze Nga, Chapman To
Chapman To convinced Albert Yeung to produce small films like Former designed to bring new acting and directing talent to the screen. The artists are given creative space with no interference from Yeung. (Sina)
Huang Yi - Legend is Born - Ip Man
Bernice Liu
Sire Ma Choi
Xu Jiao
Rose Chan, Bernice Liu
The cast of The Legend is Born - Ip Man (Ip Man Prequel), including Lam Suet, Yuen Biao and Du Yuhang, gathered for a production wrap banquet in Hong Kong last night. (Xinhua) (23)(Sina)
Chen Kaige - Zhao’s Orphan
Chen Kaige held the first press conference for Zhao’s Orphan. He said that the film will promote Tibetan culture. (Sina)
Zhang Ziyi embroiled in donation scandal
Glass CDs, Panda Men and Golden Brooms
Spring Festival means 2.5 billion people on the move In photos (China Hush)
Monga (Taipei Times review)
Billed as an action-loaded gangster flick, Niu Chen-zer’s (鈕承澤) Monga (艋舺) stars some of Taiwan’s brightest young things, including Ethan Ruan (阮經天) and Mark Chao (趙又廷).
With a stellar cast and entertaining storyline that weaves together action and drama, the film should do well with younger audience members who like to view the underworld through rose-tinted glasses.
Set in 1980s Bangka, otherwise known as Manka, an old Taipei borough that is now part of the city’s Wanhua District (萬華), the movie opens with transfer student Mosquito (Chao) doing battle with school bullies. The following day, a high school gang comprised of Hoklo-speakers approaches Mosquito and recruits him.
Zhilong (Rhydian Vaughan), whose father Geta (Ma Ru-long) is a well-respected underworld kingpin, leads the gang of five. Fellow gang member Monk (Ruan), however, is the most ruthless. Together they skip class and spend their days getting into street fights, going clubbing and wooing girls.
With their carefree innocence, the gang members seem invincible, until one night a spot of street justice accidentally leads to murder.
Meanwhile, a gang of Mainlanders from another area attempts to muscle in on the action in Bangka by befriending Wenqian (Jason Wang, 王識賢) a member of a rival gang. The outsiders conspire to take out Bangka’s gang bosses, including Zhilong’s father, and approach Monk to undertake the slayings, who obliges.
Mosquito uncovers Monk’s betrayal, and the scene is set for a bloody showdown.
Niu said he wanted to craft a uniquely Taiwanese gangster flick. Visually, the director has achieved his goal as the characters in the film look like archetypal taike (台客) with their floral print shirts, bell-bottoms and flip-flops.
The movie’s romanticism is palpable — it is more a paean to times gone than a pure gangster flick. Friendship, the innocence of youth and loyalty take precedence over scheming and plotting, and the violence is rendered lyrically rather than realistically. The opening street fight, which involves more than 100 extras, is played out like a ballet set against the score composed by Sandee Chen (陳珊妮).
Unlike Niu’s semi-autobiographical feature debut What On Earth Have I Done Wrong?! (情非得已之生存之道), Monga’s scale and structure require storytelling skills that the director has yet to master. The narrative is uneven and frequently plagued with dull dialogue. Tensions mostly dissolve as the characters’ conflicting emotions come across as more constructed than heartfelt.
One exception is Monk, who is secretly in love with Zhilong, played by British-Taiwanese actor Vaughan. Ruan injects his role with layers of emotion that elicit sympathy for a man torn between love and revenge.
Taipei Times
February 4, 2010
February 4, 2010
CRI: Song Hye-kyo To Appear in “Zhao’s Orphan”
Also Wong Kar-Wai’s The Grand Master
CRI: “Confucius” Cast Members Visit Taipei
Chow Yun-Fat and wife arrive in Taipei for the Taiwan premiere of Confucius
Asked again about his mother’s wish for a grandchild, Chow said that, Now that he had the heart, he didn’t have the strength to raise a child. (Sina)
Jackie Chan
Wang LeeHom
New Seven(?) Little Fortunes
Jackie Chan, Wang LeeHom, Lin Peng
Little Big Soldier promotion event in Beijing (Sina)
Jay Chou
User created cartoons
At a recent press event, Jay Chou revealed that if there is investor interest he would like to direct a film based on his True Legend character, the God of Martial Arts. (Sina)
Miriam Yeung, Shawn Yue
Love In A Puff directed by Pang Ho Cheung is scheduled for a Mar.25 release
The film is currently rated a Cat. III because of language. The romantic comedy is about love that blooms when Hong Kong’s smoking ban forces the two to smoke outside around a trash can.
Legend of Chen Zhen - Andrew Lau, Huo Siyan
Gordon Chan, Huo Siyan
Shu Qi
Director Andrew Lau and producer Gordon Chan praised mainland actress Huo Siyan and gave her high marks in this first collaboration with Huo. Shu Qi and Huo play opponents and collide against each other. (HunanTV)
Edison Chen
Edison Chen, Josie Ho
Edison Chen helped out Josie Ho by filming a promo video for her film Dream Home (Xinhua)
Johnnie To
Richie Ren, Lau Ching Wan
Denise Ho, Richie Ren
Death of a Hostage opening lens ceremony (HunanTV)
Jordan Chan’s Valentine’s Day wedding possibly a shotgun
Stills from MV with Gillian Chung and Chan Wai-Ting
Lin Chi-Ling demonstrates the Wii Fit Plus (Xinhua)
Fake Donations-Gate Updates, a very complicated affair: The promised deadline for a full accounting of Zhang Ziyi’s foundation account have come and passed. Zhang’s agent, normally responsive, has not been returning text messages inquiring about an explanation…Reportedly, initial donations of US$2M to Zhang Ziyi’s foundation were funnelled to her private account..Other celebrity names have been drawn into the fake donations net, Zhou Xun and Zhao Wei, etc…An online Chinese Red Cross search of contributions show Zhou Xun contributed only 300 yuan. This was attributed to being a contribution made by a similar name.. In Zhang’s favor, a citizen reported to anewspaper hotline that he knew where the individual contributions went. Several stars among them Chen Kun, Zhang Ziyi and Zhao Wei helped rebuild a collapsed school for the deaf, but after a records search the total donated by Zhang Ziyi only accounted for 840,000 yuan. Today, Zhou Xun’s agent announced that Zhou Xun as UN Goodwill Ambassador had made an undisclosed contribution to a UN designated account for Haitian disaster relief. This has been dubbed a ‘fraud tax’. (Xinhua) (2)
Confucius (Screen Daily review)
Confucius (Kong ze)
By Darcy Paquet
Dir: Hu Mei. China. 2010. 108 mins.
Chow Yun-fat is the main attraction in Confucius, a ponderous and weakly-imagined attempt at repackaging the ancient sage for the blockbuster era. Hu Mei’s (For All Eternity) film includes both battle sequences and an attempted seduction of the legendary philosopher in hopes of drawing mainstream audiences, but a lack of narrative development results in a film that is neither entertaining nor enlightening.
Despite strong state support, which allegedly involved clearing Avatar off 1,600 2D screens to make way for its release, the $23m Confucius has been weakly received in its native China, taking $5.1m on 2,500 screens during its opening weekend. Presold widely throughout Asia and to select European territories, Confucius’ hopes of performing better abroad will rest entirely on the star power of Chow Yun-fat, who turns in a subdued but engaging performance in the lead role.
Kong Qiu (Confucius) lives in the turbulent era of China’s Spring and Autumn Period, when the country is fragmented into competing states. A commoner by birth, he rises to positions of influence within the Kingdom of Lu by demonstrating the efficacy of his philosophy. His forward-thinking ideas - such as pleading for the life of a slave slated to be buried alive - earn him enemies, however, including the powerful General Ji Hengzi (24 City’s Chen Jianbin).
Eventually, Confucius’s success at subduing hostile neighboring states through a combination of tactics and wit earns him the position of Acting Minister of the Interior. However resentment spreads within the court, and in 497 B.C. he and a group of disciples embark on a life of wandering exile.
One of the film’s main problems is that, for all of the myriad faces appearing on screen, none of Confucius’ personal relationships are ever given dramatic depth. The highly talented Zhou Xun, awarded second billing in the credits, appears onscreen for barely ten minutes in a one-dimensional role that feels shoehorned in to provide extra star power. Similarly, although the film presents scenes illustrating the devotion of Confucius’ disciples, none of these relationships are properly developed.
Thus it falls to Chow Yun-fat to carry the dramatic weight of Confucius almost single-handedly. In the film’s opening reels he largely succeeds in doing so by imparting a self-confident wit and charm to the central character. However as it moves into the latter reels, Confucius accumulates weight rather than any sense of gravitas, and Chow’s performance is gradually subsumed by narrative inertia.
On a technical level, the film is given a polished, professional look by the likes of DP Peter Pau (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), costume designer Yee Chung-man (Painted Skin) and production designer Lin Chaoxiang. Evocative landscape shots are scattered throughout, but on the whole the film offers few visual or stylistic surprises.
Production companies
Dadi Century (Beijing) Limited
Dadi Entertainment Limited
China Film Group Corporation
Chinese distribution/international sales
Dadi Entertainment Limited
+ 86 10 5157 0257
Producers
Rachel Liu
John Sham
Han Sanping
Chui Po-chu
Screenplay
Chan Khan
Jiang Qitao
He Yanjiang
Hu Mei
Cinematography
Peter Pau
Production design
Lin Chaoxiang
Costume designer
Yee Chung-man
Music
Cong Su
Main cast
Chow Yun-fat
Zhou Xun
Chen Jianbin
Lu Yao
February 3, 2010
February 3, 2010
Kungfu epic ‘14 Blades’ expected to become blockbuster hit
Film producer says “Avatar” not pulled for “Confucius”
CRI: Stars Attend Premiere Ceremony of “Hot Summer Days” in Beijing
Captured by a fan at the premiere! 
Maggie Cheung - Hot Summer Days
Tony Leung
Leo Ku
At a ceremony yesterday, Tony Leung was named Hong Kong Entertainment Expo amabassador for the sixth time. And Leo Ku was named Hong Kong Music Fair ambassador. Tony said that he still did not who was going to play his wife in Grand Master or whether Gong Li was still participating. (Xinhua)
Jackman’s publicist, reached in Los Angeles, countered that “at this point in time he is doing an unbilled cameo.”
Andy Lau
Nic Tse
Andy Lau and Nic Tse arrived in Shanghai where filming of New Shaolin Temple has moved. (Sina)
Jay Chou
Highlight of True Legend is a 20 minute martial arts action scene in 3D (8)(Sina)
Miriam Yeung, Alan Tam, Zhang Yuqi, Chang Chen
Miriam Yeung, Alan Tam
Chang Chen
Kitty Zhang Yuqi (Sina)
Miriam Yeung
Miriam Yeung, Kitty Zhang Yuqi, Alan Tam - Shanghai press conference for Here Comes Fortune (God of Wealth Arrives) (Sina) (2)
Twins
Charlene Choi
Gillian Chung
Twins publicity machine ramps up for their two date concert April 16 and 17 at the Hong Kong Coliseum. (Xinhua) (Sina)
at17
at17, Eman Lam and Ellen Joyce Loo, held the first of a 5 nights of ‘until we meet again’ concerts in Wan Chai to mark 8 years together. They announced that for the next 2 years they would develop individually and regroup in 2012 to mark their 10th anniversary with a concert at Hong Kong Coliseum. Eman Lam will release a CD with her brother Chet Lam while Ellen will record a personal album. Fans did not know beforehand that the duo was separating. (Sina)
Elton Loo (Law Kwan-Chor) dressed as Paula Tsui to promote his upcoming ‘fake superstars’ concert (Sina)
Jane Zhang
Kitaro and Jane Zhang arrive at the Grammys Awards at Staples Center
Fung shui master, Tony Chan, has lost his High Court battle to inherit the estimated HK$100-billion fortune of the late tycoon, Nina Wang. In a judgement of more than 300 pages, Mr Justice Lam ruled that the will he submitted was a forgery. The judge said Mr Chan had lied and was not a credible witness. He awarded the entire estate to the rival claimant, the Chinachem Charitable Foundation, and ordered Mr Chan to pay its court costs…(RTHK)
14 Blades
SINGAPORE : Everyone knows that the ingredients in making the perfect wuxia movie for today’s insatiable audiences is made up of three things: Impeccable fight scenes; a multi-faceted story that blends fantastical fiction with historical fact; and Donnie Yen.
Who else can better perform superhuman feats, get seriously injured and yet still fight till the end in a jiang hu (martial arts) world than the broody hot-bod stuntman-turned-actor? Cleverly, director Daniel Lee (”Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon”) enlists the help of Yen (fresh from his success with “Ip Man” and “Bodyguards And Assassins”) with “14 Blades”.
Set in Ming Dynasty China, it tells the story of the jingyi wei (literally meaning brocade-clad guard), the elite Imperial guards/assassins.
Recruited from the street and trained in clandestine combat, these guards devote their entire lives to the service of the Emperor.
Of course, there has to be an evil eunuch plotting to seize power. So, it’s up to Imperial Guards Qing Long (Yen) and Xuanwu (Qi Yu Wu) to steal a list identifying people still loyal to the throne. But Qing Long is betrayed by Xuanwu and becomes a wanted man forced to fight his former comrades to protect the empire and restore the Emperor to power.
While this isn’t Asia’s answer to “The Bourne Identity”, this actioner is a valiant effort. There is enough hard action, longing romance, silly humour and the obligatory life values and morality spiels to engage everyone across the board.
Yet, one would have hoped to see more of the titular weapon and its full use in action, seeing as we’re told in detail at the start how special this tool is (eight blades for torture, five for killing and the last one reserved for suicide upon failure of a mission). But the disappointment of not seeing this fabled weapon and all its intricacies is more than made up for with the relentless and well-choreographed fight sequences in deserts, forests, temples and tea-houses.
Yen manages to make his fights look like a spirited walk in the park as he oozes masculinity and charisma. But his acting still leaves much to be desired, so Vicky Zhao (in yet another period role) amps up the emotion with more than just a “flower vase” thespian turn as feisty love interest Qiao Hua.
Pretty boy Wu Zun surprisingly shines as the leader of the bandits, holding his own with slick moves and a beguiling presence. The same however, cannot be said for Yu Wu. Although he tries courageously hard to play the villain, he fades into the background against his heavyweight counterparts.
It may not be the ultimate wuxia picture, with its occasional cheesy sentimental lapse and gaping plot holes, but “14 Blades” has enough sharp elements to keep fans and non-fans intrigued.
Channelnewsasia
February 2, 2010
February 2, 2010
Jun Ji-Hyun (file photos)
Li Bingbing
Hugh Jackman (Sina)
Jun Ji-Hyun arriving at Hangzhou Airport with assistants (Sina)
CRI: Hugh Jackman onboard ‘Secret Fan’ with Li Bingbing
Hugh Jackman, Li Bingbing and Jeon Ji-Hyun. The lineup for the film “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” has been finalized after some small problems.
Jordan Chan
Jordan Chan and Ruby Lin helped makeup artist Rick Chin open a new shop yesterday. Jordan Chan is getting ready for his Las Vegas wedding next month with Cherrie Ying. (Xinhua)
Petrina Fung BoBo
Fung Bobo was in Hong Kong for a charity premiere. She is now a grandma as her two daughters now have babies. (Sina)
Nancy Sit: A Kindred Spirit was the turning point of my life
Singapore Starhub’s All Time Favourite TVB Female TV Character:
Superstar Zhang Ziyi dogged by scandals
Global Times (Longer version)
Angelica Lee, Oxide Pang to wed on Saturday
Electric phantom - the indomitable Esther Eng
A Forgotten Chinese-American Film Pioneer
Lucy Liu set for Broadway’s ‘God of Carnage
Judgement today in Nina Wang case
A High Court judge will hand down his judgement this morning in one of the most celebrated cases of recent years - the probate battle over the multi-billion dollar fortune of Asia’s richest businesswoman, Nina Wang. The case pits feng shui master Tony Chan against the Chinachem Charitable Foundation. The judge, Mr Justice Lam, will have to rule on two competing wills - an earlier one transferring Mrs Wang’s fortune to the charitable foundation, and a later one giving it all to Mr Chan. The case began when the feng shui master emerged following Mrs Wang’s death, and claimed to be her lover and the designated heir of her estate. He said Mrs Wang had given him billions of dollars in cash, and wanted to have his child. However, the late tycoon’s family members testified for the charity foundation, saying the money was merely fees for his fungshui services. They said even if the two had anything beyond a professional relationship, Mr Chan was nothing more than a “toyboy”. (RTHK)